FARA WILLIAMS held back tears as she emotionally paid tribute to her former manager Matt Beard – who passed away aged 47.
Williams played for Beard’s Liverpool side that twice won the Women’s Super League title in consecutive seasons.
The former Chelsea Women’s manager was pronounced dead on September 20 – as tributes quickly poured in.
Williams was working for the BBC alongside Alex Scott and Steph Houghton when she paid her heartfelt respects to Beard.
She said: “It’s a tough day. I tried to speak a little bit about him on Five Live a bit earlier, it’s difficult.
“Steph said it there, he meant so much to all of us. He will be missed.”
Williams held back tears as she was comforted by Houghton and Scott, who added: “Matt was a leader, he was a mentor and he was a manager.
“His love for the game will leave a lasting impact on the game.
“Everyone at BBC sends their deepest sympathies to Matt’s family, friends and his loved ones and everyone in the football community at this difficult time.”
Beard – who started at Millwall Lionesses in 2008 – only ever managed women’s football professionally.
He spent three years at Liverpool after joining from Chelsea in 2012 following three seasons with the Blues.
He then joined Boston Breakers in 2016 for 12 months before returning to England in 2018 with West Ham.
Beard – who tragically leaves behind his wife and two kids – had two seasons with the Hammers before taking over at Bristol City in 2021.
He then re-joined Liverpool from 2021-2025 before his final career move to Burnley – but he left in August after just two games in charge.
Liverpool’s WSL game against Aston Villa was postponed in the wake of the tragic news – while other clubs took part in a minute’s silence.
Arsenal fans held up a “We Love You Beardy” message from the stands – as Williams appeared tearful on Radio Five Live.
She said: “He was more than a manager. A great mentor for me, a great friend.
“Somebody that saw potential in me that maybe I didn’t see in myself. When I had difficult periods outside of football, he was there.
“He was like an older brother. We had laughs together, similar humour. Just somebody that cared, cared about everybody else.
“He would never shy away from giving people his time and yeah, just a special guy. I wish he was to see that and feel that from all of us.
“Because he was, he was one of a kind and he had the purest of souls. he cared massively about the women’s game and was there from the beginning.
“Once he got an opportunity in the game he was fully focused on really trying to drive and get the game to where it is now.
“And I’m sure he would be proud of where the game is at now and his part he played in that.”
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